CECIL HURT: Playing meaningful nonconference games could get Alabama fans to stay

Cecil HurtSports Editor | The Tuscaloosa News

Published: Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 9:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, October 25, 2013 at 12:40 a.m.

Nick Saban certainly has a right to ask for an attentive fan base, if only because, as he noted on Wednesday, people play attention to empty seats — players and prospects. “Atmosphere,” as Saban notes, is a strong selling point, whether it is 95,000 people at an A-Day or a full house of fanatics waiting until the opponent, even a hapless one, is subdued.

Last week, in a blowout of Arkansas, the young reserves on defense had to fight to preserve a shutout and Saban got to display his rarely-seen look of dismay — I guess it was dismay, and not wrath — as freshman Derrick Henry raced 80 yards for a touchdown when burning 60 seconds was probably the,plan, moreso than scoring six points.

On the other hand, there are circumstances in which fans, like it or not, leave. They get cold, or bored, or face a long drive home, sometimes late at night.

I think the all-day tailgate culture can contribute to fatigue in a game that isn't providing intermittent jolts of on-the-field adrenaline. There are two sides to this story, and neither side is entirely wrong.

Should Saban somehow instruct his team to play closer, more exciting games? Of course not. The notion is silly. Furthermore, there is no pleasing some people, and many of the same fans who complain about blowouts would gripe even more about games that “durn near gave me a heart attack.” But should fans who have to drive back to Mobile or Madison not get home until 3 a.m. after a night game? A lot of fans who live at the Theta Chi house aren't going to get home until 3 a.m. either, but that is a different issue.

Maybe each side of the discussion should be willing to negotiate. That's the American way. So here is a modest proposal — in other words, a scheme so hare-brained that no one would consider it, even though it makes sense.

Perhaps Saban's boss, Bill Battle, could help. Maybe if Alabama fans promise to set aside their outside considerations and buy into the “play for 60, stay for 60” movement, Battle could take that into consideration and, like a crimson Santa Claus, could reward the nice instead of figuring out a plan to punish the naughty.

What sort of reward would be appropriate? How about a big-time home-and-home series, one that rewards the loyal diehards by giving them a nonconference opponent that would be worth sticking around for?

I understand that this is a transitional time for future schedules, with uncertainty about the impending new playoff structure and also the number of SEC games.

But surely something could be worked out. Other traditional powers are doing it. You can lobby for your own favorite opponent — Notre Dame, Michigan, Oklahoma. Here's a suggestion: why not schedule USC — the one in Los Angeles, not South Carolina — for 2020 and 2021, the golden anniversary of two games against the Trojans that still resound in Alabama history.

I don't know if that could happen. I do know it would be worth sticking around for.

<p>Nick Saban certainly has a right to ask for an attentive fan base, if only because, as he noted on Wednesday, people play attention to empty seats — players and prospects. “Atmosphere,” as Saban notes, is a strong selling point, whether it is 95,000 people at an A-Day or a full house of fanatics waiting until the opponent, even a hapless one, is subdued.</p><p>Sometimes, opponents are subdued shortly after halftime, sometimes earlier. </p><p>That doesn't mean interesting things can't happen.</p><p>Last week, in a blowout of Arkansas, the young reserves on defense had to fight to preserve a shutout and Saban got to display his rarely-seen look of dismay — I guess it was dismay, and not wrath — as freshman Derrick Henry raced 80 yards for a touchdown when burning 60 seconds was probably the,plan, moreso than scoring six points. </p><p>On the other hand, there are circumstances in which fans, like it or not, leave. They get cold, or bored, or face a long drive home, sometimes late at night. </p><p>I think the all-day tailgate culture can contribute to fatigue in a game that isn't providing intermittent jolts of on-the-field adrenaline. There are two sides to this story, and neither side is entirely wrong. </p><p>Should Saban somehow instruct his team to play closer, more exciting games? Of course not. The notion is silly. Furthermore, there is no pleasing some people, and many of the same fans who complain about blowouts would gripe even more about games that “durn near gave me a heart attack.” But should fans who have to drive back to Mobile or Madison not get home until 3 a.m. after a night game? A lot of fans who live at the Theta Chi house aren't going to get home until 3 a.m. either, but that is a different issue. </p><p>Maybe each side of the discussion should be willing to negotiate. That's the American way. So here is a modest proposal — in other words, a scheme so hare-brained that no one would consider it, even though it makes sense.</p><p>Perhaps Saban's boss, Bill Battle, could help. Maybe if Alabama fans promise to set aside their outside considerations and buy into the “play for 60, stay for 60” movement, Battle could take that into consideration and, like a crimson Santa Claus, could reward the nice instead of figuring out a plan to punish the naughty. </p><p>What sort of reward would be appropriate? How about a big-time home-and-home series, one that rewards the loyal diehards by giving them a nonconference opponent that would be worth sticking around for?</p><p>I understand that this is a transitional time for future schedules, with uncertainty about the impending new playoff structure and also the number of SEC games. </p><p>But surely something could be worked out. Other traditional powers are doing it. You can lobby for your own favorite opponent — Notre Dame, Michigan, Oklahoma. Here's a suggestion: why not schedule USC — the one in Los Angeles, not South Carolina — for 2020 and 2021, the golden anniversary of two games against the Trojans that still resound in Alabama history. </p><p>I don't know if that could happen. I do know it would be worth sticking around for.</p><p>Reach Cecil Hurt at cecil@tidesports.com or 205-722-0225.</p>